held up in last pair, hit 5th, good headway in 3rd 3 out, 2nd on long run soon after, led 2 out, 2 lengths ahead last, driven run-in, headed and no extra final 50 yards
tracked leader, led 3rd, hit 5th, pushed along when narrowly headed, pecked and went left 2 out, ridden and lost 2nd between last 2, soon no extra in 3rd
led, joined 2nd, headed next, chased leader until ridden on long run before 2 out, weakened soon after
took keen hold early, held up in last pair, mistake and outpaced 3 out, ridden and went modest 4th 2 out
took keen hold early, tracked leading pair until 3 out, 3rd again soon after, hung left from 2 out, 2nd between last 2, 2 lengths down last, switched left run-in, stayed on to lead last 50 yards
CLAYTON beat a subsequent winner on soft going here last month before running in a Class 2 event at Sandown. He’s 3lb higher than for his victory but conditions won’t be a problem for Gary Moore’s charge. The Game Is A Foot is chasing a four-timer and a third win on the track but he’s gone up 14lb since his winning run began and is possibly better over further. He’s also never been successful on ground as heavy as this. Vicenzo Mio hasn’t run over a trip this short in almost two years while Away For Slates has disappointed twice since his second at Wetherby in November. Northandsouth is potentially well treated but has plenty to prove in this grade nowadays.
Clayton 7-1 (10-3) Led, clear 5th until 3 out, pushed along and headed when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, mistake last, 7th of 10, 27 1/4l behind Call Me Lord (11-12) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Away For Slates (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Mid-division, closed 7th, ridden and losing place when hit 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 10, dist behind Cougar Kid (10-3) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Vicenzo Mio (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Led 1st, headed before next, led 3rd, headed after 5th, led before 6th until after 3 out, weakened into 4th before last, 4th of 14, 35l behind Savoy Court (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
The Game Is A Foot (IRE) 11-4fav (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, led 2 out, headed last, soon rallied, led again closing stages, ran on well, won at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Guards Chapel (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Northandsouth (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Prominent until led 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, weakened flat, 5th of 10, 12 1/4l behind Hurricane Rita (11-8) at Fakenham 2m hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
